Overview
- The National Medical Commission’s Undergraduate Medical Education Board issued a public notice on Oct. 15 allowing students admitted from the 2019–20 academic year onward one extra attempt to pass the First Professional MBBS exam.
- The decision was taken at the NMC’s 18th meeting on Sept. 23 after representations citing COVID-19 disruptions, health problems and other personal difficulties.
- Students who have already used a prior mercy attempt or who have exhausted five attempts under earlier orders are excluded and will not get a sixth try.
- The extra attempt does not change the rule that the full MBBS course, including the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship, must be completed within ten years of admission.
- Universities and medical colleges have been asked to process eligible cases under the notice, which the commission calls a one-time transitional relief rather than a new long-term policy.